I got the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits this week, and was entirely underwhelmed by it. There’s a cabled hooded scarf that looks lovely and squishy, but which I don’t think I’d ever actually wear, and apart from that there’s just nothing that takes my fancy. There’s some bulky chunky knits which would make me look, well, even bulkier and chunkier, and some little fitted numbers which aren’t really ‘me’ either.
This was the last issue in my 2 year subscription, and I don’t think I’ll be renewing. I do think it’s generally a good magazine, certainly better than the perpetually lame UK offerings, but the most popular patterns are usually available on their website (eventually, anyway – and I’m happy to wait), and although there are sometimes some informative articles in it, there’s usually nothing I can’t get from friends/blogs/ravelry if I need to. It’s also jam-packed full of ads – for stuff I can’t buy (without running up huge customs bills, anyway!). Also I’d like to subscribe to Spin Off for a while and I can’t justify both subscriptions!
Of course, Spin Off is from the same people, so I won’t escape the renewal notices, which are one of the most annoying things about this magazine – I think it’s an american thing. IK started reminding me roughly 32 minutes into my 2 year subscription that I could renew my subscription for various different rates. They started sending me letters through the post about renewing about 6 months ago, obviously deeply concerned that I couldn’t read a calendar of my own accord and would end up IK-free and not be able to work out how to obtain further copies.
As Winter 2008 is my last issue, they really got quite hysterical about it.
subtlety not an IK trait
Just in case I, and everyone else in the communal post area, had failed to notice the A4 reminder on the cover (oh how I love the words ‘Final Notice’ all over my post!), there were 2 further reminders inside.
One reminding me of The Best Deal! for my renewal:
The Best Deal! - or is it?
And in case I had wantonly ignored the first 2 reminders, or somehow been struck blind since the last issue, a reminder to the cat that she can Make holiday shopping easy! by givng me the Gift of Interweave Knits.
I hope the cat can read
Confusingly, each of these reminders offers the magazine at a different price. Now, you would think that first-time subscribers get one rate, and continuing subscribers maybe get a bit off of that rate as a present for loyalty or something. Not so! It appears for a start, that noone who subscribes ever has to pay the full cover price – makes sense. However the first huge notice offers me the price of $38 for 2 years (save 32%!) or $24 for one year (save 14%!). The second reminder offers me 2 years at $39 or one at $24, and the gift subscription offers me 4 issues (a year) for $21 – a saving of 25%! I’m not great at maths, but I really can’t work out who decided all those figures made sense!
So… Spin Off it is 
And I’m sure their reminder messages will be just as confusing!
I know how you feel. I’m not sure how many more issues I have due and although it’s a present I don’t know if I’ll renew or not either
Funnily enough mine dropped through the door last week, with a big FINAL notice on it, my other half was disgusted! I am definately not renewing, I agree if you really like a pattern you can buy it when its released inthe IK store, and to be honest I enjoy the articles but find some of the garments not to my taste!
oh I’m so glad it’s not just me
Jen – I’m sure once you get near the end of your subscription you’ll certainly hear all about it lol!
Funny you should mention the lame UK offerings, I have literally been ranting about it just today on my blog here, and I was considering a subscription to Spin Off and Interweave Knits, but I think I may now just limit myself to Spin Off now.
Hey! Yes, the magazine subscription renewal vipers are alive and well here in the US. One thing to know is that a lot of the soliciting is done thorough outside services which are unabashedly predatory. They simply will not stop soliciting you even with multiple notices to cease and desist. (Ask me how I know…) Anyway, you can just ignore them and enjoy the magazines nonetheless. I have been reading Spin-Off since the 80’s, am a huge fan of Knitter’s (which I like a lot more than IK.)Nice to meet some UK knitters! Have always wanted to take a yarn tour over there…someday…
Am curious about Brighton too…Seems like an artsy community??
Yes, that’s what I figured about Brighton… I have an aquaintance from years ago who lives there. He’s a choreographer/dancer and I took a workshop with him here in Vermont back in the 80’s. We’re old timers…50 somethings. Anyway, he lives in Brighton with his wife who is a fashion designer so I figured Brighton must be pretty damn artsy — kind of like Burlington, Vermont. By the way, Vermont has, just this past week, become the 4th state to sanction same-sex marriage. This is more significant than it sounds as we are the first state to do this as a result of Legislative action and not by court mandate. We were also the first state (nine years ago) to allow civil unions between same sex partners. Yeah us!
Best,
Laurie
Laughed at your diatribe about serial renewal slips. I used to get a few quilting mags sent here, and you’re right, they get quite hysterical. I’m sure the postman was quite iffy about all my ‘final reminders’ and ‘final notices’!